Truth, integrity, and credibility are critical and distinctive
principles of any educational and research institution. Adherence
to these principles is essential for the efficient progress of
scientific research and for the preservation of the trust of the
public and the research community. The maintenance of accepted
standards in research based on these principles is highly regarded
by the scientific community and is a major responsibility of St.
John's University ("University"). Consequently, we must establish
standards and procedures for our faculty members in order to
preserve the truth, integrity, and credibility in research, to
prevent scientific misconduct, and to deal efficiently and fairly
with allegations or other indications of scientific misconduct.
Scientific misconduct is generally defined as any fabrication,
falsification, omission, plagiarism, suppression, theft,
misappropriation, or other practice that violates the standards
commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing,
conducting, or reporting research. Honest errors or honest
differences in interpretations or judgments of data are not
regarded as scientific misconduct. Specific acts of scientific
misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following:
Falsification or Misrepresentation of
Data, which includes:
- reporting experiments, measurements, or statistical analyses
never performed
- manipulating or altering data or other manifestations of
research to achieve a desired result
- falsifying or misrepresenting background information, including
biographical data, citation of publications, or status of
manuscripts
- selective reporting, including the deliberate suppression of
conflicting or unwanted data
Plagiarism
The misrepresentation of the words or ideas of another as one's
own. More subtle practices include misleading or inadequate
reference citation and duplicate publication of identical data
without adequate reference.
Abuse of Confidentiality
The misuse of confidential information or the failure to maintain
the confidentiality of such information. This includes the use of
ideas and preliminary data gained from (1) access to privileged
information through the opportunity for editorial review of
manuscripts submitted to journals; and (2) peer review of proposals
considered for funding by agency panels or internal committees.
Other Practices
which seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted
within the scientific community for proposing, conducting, or
reporting research, include, but are not limited to, the
following:
Aiding or facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others.
Violating pertinent federal or University regulations and ethical
codes such as those involving the protection and welfare of human
subjects and laboratory animals.
Breaching scientific integrity other than those enumerated
above.